Sunday, October 28, 2007

The Other Mother - Review, Book Club, and Giveaway!

Gwendolen Gross' novel The Other Mother, in my opinion, does an excellent job of describing what it means to be a mother, and the bizarre "Mommy Wars" we inexplicably wind up in. The story is narrated by two moms - Amanda, a brand new mommy about to head back to her corporate office, and Thea, a stay at home mom of three. The two women happen to be neighbors, and while their common journey through the throws of motherhood bring them together, their different career choices hold them at a distance. And it doesn't get any easier when Thea ends up acting as a nanny for Amanda.

I always feel stuck in the Mommy Wars. I stay home with my baby, but I do have two jobs which I do part time, mostly from home. While in some ways I know I have the best of both worlds, it often works out to be the worst of both worlds, and judgment from both sides to boot. I've also been a nanny and I know what it means to be the person caring for the lives of another mother's child.

These issues are so complicated, not as cut and dry as they appear to be when looking from only one perspective. Having at least a foot in the Stay Home World, the Career World, and the Nanny World, I believe that Gwendolen Gross has nailed all sides of this issue. Her perspective is nuanced and insightful, right on.

Over at ChicagoMoms, we're doing a book club featuring The Other Mother this week. And right here at Opinionated I've giving away not one but two copies! So, enter to win by leaving me a comment anytime between Monday, October 29th and Friday, November 2rd. I'll choose two lucky winners at random and announce on Saturday, November 3rd.

This Giveaway is also in conjunction with Fall Y'all Giveaways, so once you've left me a comment, surfed over to ChicagoMomsBlog.com for the book club, don't forget to check out the other giveaways going on! (And if you don't win one, stop by Amazon to buy your own copy!)

Oh, and stop by everyday life as lyric poetry for my main blog and my other giveaway...and click here, where my best friend is giving away a ring sling baby carrier!

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115 comments:

Karianna said...

The "in the middle," is definitely hard. I frequently wish I could have kid-free time to do work, or work-free time to play with the kids!

(I am commenting to comment, not to win, as I have the book!)

I can't find my blog said...

Sounds like a great read. Count me in!

Vicki said...

I read about this book on MotherTalk. I'd love to win!

Stephanie said...

I would love to read this book, sound good!

Heather said...

sounds like a really interesting read!

elisachica@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I so know about mommy wars I am so in one as i try and balance my life. I would so love to read this book.

Nichole said...

This sounds like a great book! Sign me up!

Sarah said...

I heard about this book and wanted to read it. It would be great if I won it!

bethany said...

Thanks for hosting this-sounds like a good book!

Anonymous said...

This sounds good -- please count me in.

Anonymous said...

Aren't we all "in the middle"?

emily [at] momminitup.com

Hélène said...

Sounds interesting. I would like to read it. Count me in!

Amico Dio said...

I am a SAHM and a WAHM and this would be great to have! Besides, my love for reading far excedes my budget for books so please enter my name into the drawing! ;o)

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Would love to have this book!!!

laura_licious101[@]hotmail.com

Melanie said...

Looks like a great read!

Erin said...

Always up for a good book!

M.E. said...

Sounds like a neat read! Enter me, too!

Chrissy said...

Awesome prize! Please count me in.

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great book to read. I would love to enter the drawing. Thank you.

Gretchen said...

Sounds like a great book... count me in please, Thank you! :)

Beth @ TheAngelForever said...

I have been hoping to read this book.
Great giveaway!

TheAngelForever
www.theangelforever.com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like an interesting book.

Anonymous said...

Wow, enter me in please!

Elizabeth F. said...

I've been dying to read this book! Great give-away! Enter me please. And come enter my giveaways too!

kari and kijsa said...

Enter us, please

blessings,
Kari & Kijsa

Karla Porter Archer said...

this sounds like a great book. I'd love this! Please count me in!

Blessings,
Karla

Anonymous said...

I have been wanting to read this.

Anonymous said...

I've been hearing good things about this book. Count me in please!

Jen said...

I would love to read this!

Jessica said...

Count me in.

Aimee said...

I'd love to win this!

Liz said...

Awesome giveaway! I would love to win! Thanks so much!

HilLesha O'Nan said...

Count me in! :)

Trina said...

This sounds maaaah-velous dahling! Put me in . . .

Becca said...

It sounds like a great read - for someone who is just starting to get back into reading. . . and loving it!

Monkey Giggles said...

Sounds good. Count me in

Anonymous said...

Count me in please! monk5@charter.net

Shannon said...

I need a good book to read!

Anonymous said...

Please enter me. I would love to join in on the book club after the read.


Nikki

Stephanie said...

I would love to have this book. Sounds wonderful.

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a really good book.
jtakes(at)aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

Great review - sounds like an excellent book. If I don't win, I'll have to buy my own!

Memarie Lane said...

Sounds like a great book. I have seen these little battles go on so many times, it's horrible!... But makes for a good read, I'm sure. ;)

Gretchen said...

This sounds like a great book... please count me in! Thank you! :)

Jo said...

This looks like such a good book and I would love to win it! Please enter me as well.

jocoiner[at]gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good book. Very insightful. afriend@netcommander.com

Lilypad Mom said...

This sounds like a really interesting book, I would love to read it.

Heather said...

ooh oooh I would LOVE this! my email is
harmstrong.03@gmail.com. Thanks!!

Geri said...

count me in !!! Please!!! Love this!!!
gerijones64@hotmail.com

Zoya said...

Catherine, it would be interesting to read about how you make it work combining looking after your child and working part-time from home.

Since I know how hard it is, I’m surprised anyone would be critical. Though the whole “Mommy War” thing is beyond my understanding. We all work hard no matter what our arrangement is and require support and understanding, not competitiveness and criticism.

michelle said...

Sounds like a good book. I would love to be entered!

Michelle
www.northofthe49.com
michelle (at) northofthe49 (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I'd love this! I've read Gwendolyn Gross' other book, and thought she was a great writer.

Anonymous said...

THanks for the chance to win.

amyjohnallen at bellsouth dot net

Rockin' Mama said...

I'd love a new book to read!

Ginny said...

Please enter me, I'd like to read this.

Anonymous said...

Please count me in!

Anonymous said...

eNTER ME PLEASE

Michelle said...

I've been hearing alot about this book.thanks for visiting ,have a great day ;=)

Tamara said...

More winter reading material - yay! Tossing in my comment for a chance... Thanks!

mrshuntinak AT msn DOT com

Anonymous said...

Enter me, please. This book sounds intriguing.

Kristin said...

I would love this book!

April said...

Looks like a great book,I would love to be entered.Thanks

Heather said...

Thanks for the chance to win!

Christine said...

Please enter me. I think we moms always see the grass as greener somewhere else. I would love to read about it. Thanks

Anonymous said...

please put me in the draw
jenmass37[@]gmail[.]com

Maude Lynn said...

Excellent review!

Linda SS said...

I'm a bookworm who would LOVE to win this. Thanks for the chance:)

peppylady (Dora) said...

Mom are put on the back burner a lot of time and my boys are pretty well grown.
Please put my name in the hat for your give away.

Granola said...

Sounds like a good read! Thank you.

Fiddle D. Dee said...

Please enter me!

Unknown said...

Wow, this is something I struggle with everyday! Thanks for offering the book!

Amanda Jayne said...

Looks like a really good book, please sign me up!

... said...

sounds like an interesting book. thanks for the chance to win it.

Unknown said...

This is on my must-read list. Actually, I'm too impatient to wait for it and ordered from my library. Hopefully I'll win this one before the library one makes it in.

Rebecca said...

Sounds like a good book. Count me in!

FENICLE said...

This sounds really great!!! Thanks.

info@fenicle.com
http://www.fenicle.com

COME VISIT MY GIVEAWAYS!

Anonymous said...

This book looks great! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Oh, count me in!

Michelle said...

I've been wanting to read this book!

Anonymous said...

please put me in the draw
jenmass37[@]gmail[.]com

Jennifer said...

What a great giveaway. I'd love to win, so count me in. Good luck everyone!

Kristiem10 said...

Sounds like a good book!

Making A Modern Family said...

I would love to read this book! Please count me in!

madamspud169 said...

As a stay at home mum who is considering going back to work I'm trying to decide what is best for me & my son, this book sounds like it may give me a bit more insight into the good & bad of both decisions

Dawn said...

This sounds like a great book. I am sort of stuck between the two worlds, too. I do have a job that I work outside the home, but it is only usually a few days a week. The rest of the time I'm home. So most of the time I feel like a stay-at-home mom, but I'm sure real stay-at-home moms don't think of me that way. It is weird that everyone is so adamant that their way is the right way and it is such a hot issue.

Tara said...

That sounds like such a great book! I'd love to read it and pass it on. Thanks!

Melanie said...

count me in!

Unknown said...

Oh please count me in, this book sounds great!

Liberty said...

I loved this so much I blogged about your giveaway - Giveaway Highlights. Please count me in!

Happy Autumn and Good luck to all!

Lib
notmuchmorethanthis [at] gmail [dot] com

This Journey of Mine said...

Would love to be entered into this drawing! Thanks.

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a book a lot of moms need to read, myself included.

Thanks for the chance to win.

Audra
writetome (at) thesilvas (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I work from home and as a photographer some weekends, so I'm really curious about this book. Please enter me. :)

Thanks,
Leia
leia18 [at] yahoo [dot] com

daisy said...

Sounds like a great book!
Thanks,
Daisy

Eden said...

I would love to win this book! Please count me in. Thanx.
I'm doing a little giveaway over at my place too.

Emily said...

Looks like a great book!

princesslimey(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

i've been wanting to read this book!

debjohanning at hotmail dot com

Delete said...

I'd love to read this title. I am a stay-st-home mom but I feel each mom has to make their own choice about what is right for her family.

Blessings to you-
Jenny

JewelsHud said...

I've heard of this book and I'd really like to read it . . . Thanks for the giveaway!!


julieahudson[at]hotmail[dot]com

Wendy said...

I've heard so much about this book, I'd love a chance to win it. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read this.
Theresa n
weceno@aol.com

Kellie said...

I'd love to read this - count me in!

Anonymous said...

Looks like a great book!

Angela said...

Please enter me!

sam said...

sounds like a great book, count me in!

PastormacsAnn said...

Please count me in. Great giveaway!

Karen said...

This is fabulous, please count me in! Thanks:-)

kpuleski [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

Yes, please!!

Anonymous said...

Nice gift. texkathy@netcommander.com

Anonymous said...

I have heard great things about this book!

mamaredhead said...

This book sounds like exactly what I need right now. Very cool.

mamaredhead [@] gmail [.] com

Eimi said...

This sounds like an interesting book! =)

Michelle Olsen Sasak said...

I'd love to win! Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Interesting read! I'd love to win. Please enter me. :)

Anonymous said...

I seen this book for review in one of my parenting magazines I recieve and have been wanting a copy so bad. Great great giveaway.
Enter me please.
Thanks,

palmersf@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

count me in, please!!!